The institutions and heterogeneous geographical relations of austerity

Abstract

ABSTRACT There is a general consensus that austerity is variegated in nature, but that a generic feature is the construction of discursive institutions framing the necessity for austerity and guiding actors. However, what is missing from accounts within political science and related disciplines is an appreciation of how these work through heterogeneous geographical relations. This paper examines how austerity has been discursively framed, justified and articulated through ‘semantic’ spatial austerity institutions. Utilizing a ‘pragmatic sociology of critique’ approach, it examines the UK Government’s austerity program. The paper finds that austerity works through spatially configured semantic institutions, and where there has been resistance this has not developed into a substantive social movement. More broadly, the paper argues that political science and public administration need to move beyond analysis of ‘singular’ geographical relations, to understanding the role of heterogeneous geographical relations characterizing state practices.